Deciding which hotel you should use while traveling can be stressful because the choice has the potential to make or break a trip. Unfortunately, selecting a hotel in another country can be difficult due to lack of information and real-world feedback.
The good news is that if you’re planning a trip to Mexico, U.S. News & World Report has the information you need to select a hotel that best meets your requirements.
In fact, U.S. News & World Report recently released its annual ranking of the best hotels in Mexico. That ranking is based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings, and user ratings.
“We believe this unbiased approach makes our rankings more useful than simply providing our editors’ personal opinions,” U.S. News & World Report explains in a statement.
“The travel industry has faced many disruptions over the past two years, highlighting the need to support and recognize hotels that continue to maintain excellent standards,” Zach Watson, senior travel editor at U.S. News said in a statement. “The 2022 Best Hotels rankings offer a dependable guide for travelers to use when organizing their next trip, whether that’s in a few weeks or later in the year.”
Let’s get right to it. Here are the top 10 hotels in Mexico, according to U.S. News & World Report’s research.
1. Montage Los Cabos
Los Cabos, Baja California
The resort, which sits on 39 acres of beach just up the coast from central Cabo San Lucas, “impresses guests with its plethora of on-site activities, excellent service, and sleek design,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. There are 174 rooms and suites, all of which include marble bathrooms and terraces that overlook either the desert or beach.
Visitors can go to the resort’s spa, pool, or sit on the beach – although it is a public beach. The resort also offers opportunities to go snorkeling, ride horses, play tennis, ride on a Jet Ski, and even swim with dolphins.
2. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
As is the case with all Auberge properties, Esperanza offers “extravagant amenities like yoga classes, an oceanfront infinity pool, and a sculpture garden,” U.S. News & World Report notes. “If you’re craving a little rest and relaxation, head to the spa for a replenishing massage. Although spa treatments will cost you a pretty penny, recent visitors said they’re well worth the splurge.”
Another attraction is the Cocina del Mar restaurant, which offers fresh seafood cooked in North, Central, and South American styles. The property also offers three other restaurants, which are all casual.
3. Rosewood Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Located on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya strip of Caribbean shoreline, the resort “fully immerses guests in the Riviera Maya’s beauty through its architecture and design,” U.S. News & World Report notes. “Not only is it flanked by the region’s famed crystalline sands and lush jungle, the resort is also constructed from local materials, such as Yucatan limestone and regional wood.”
There are 129 suites, which all have a private terrace and are attached to the resort’s heated plunge pool. Visitors noted that they enjoyed the resort’s seven restaurants and bars and that while the resort’s spa treatments are expensive, they are well worth the price. As you would expect, there is an adjacent golf course, and visitors can go biking and snorkeling.
4. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort
San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California
Of course, this isolated resort offers personal butlers and fresh fruit delivered daily. Each room also features an adobe fireplace and a private patio with a telescope. Depending on their location, each room either looks out at a garden or the ocean.
“Travelers agree this Los Cabos hideaway is guaranteed to inspire romance,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. “In fact, Las Ventanas al Paraíso has an entire department devoted to amorous guests, with specialists who can arrange anything from private salsa lessons to personalized couples’ spa treatments.”
5. One&Only Palmilla
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California
Each room at the One&Only Palmilla resort, which is “flanked by the secluded sands, aquamarine waters, and pristine fairways of the Los Cabos corridor,” features a balcony or patio that looks out on either the Sea of Cortez or the Pacific Ocean.
The resort also has a spa, a 27-hole golf course, and is home to SEARED, an on-site restaurant conceived by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, so visitors don’t need to leave the property. Those who want more activity can visit the concierge to sign up for a scuba, snorkeling, or deep-sea fishing trip.
6. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
Visitors to the resort, set on 24 acres on the beach, are greeted with a bottle of tequila. “It was special touches like this as well as the staff’s close attention to detail that impressed guests the most,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. Past visitors also said they liked that each room features a terrace with ocean views, a gas fireplace, and access to a plunge pool. The resort also features a spa, fitness center, and four pools.
“When it’s time for a bite to eat, the property offers several restaurants to choose from, ranging from Don Manuel’s, which features a seasonal menu with traditional Mexican ingredients like mole and tomatillos, to the casual Beach Club, serving salads, sandwiches, and tacos,” U.S. News & World Report notes.
7. Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
The secluded resort, located on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya strip of Caribbean shoreline, is about 30 miles from Cancun International Airport so visitors can easily visit mangrove forests, freshwater lagoons, and the second-largest coral reef system in the world. The villas, featuring Mayan-inspired decor, all have floor-to-ceiling windows, private pools, and sun decks.
“If you’re not one to stay cooped up, Banyan Tree Mayakoba also features a bevy of facilities, including The Shack Beach Club and a spa that pampers with signature treatments like The Rainforest hydrothermal therapy session,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research.
8. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
“One of the main selling points of this Auberge outpost is its location along one of the only swimmable beaches in Cabo San Lucas,” U.S. News & World Report’s research discovered. “When you’re not lounging along the resort’s half-mile stretch of sand, you can take advantage of its free water sport activities, including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, or snorkel the reef – a favorite activity of past lodgers.”
The resort’s large rooms feature private outdoor showers, as well as soaking tubs, terraces, and either a garden or ocean view. Other amenities include a spa, fitness center, three-tiered infinity pool, 18-hole golf course, and clubs for kids and teens. The resort’s restaurant is run by chef Yvan Mucharraz, who once worked at the French Laundry.
9. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
“Recent visitors warn newcomers they won’t want to leave this hotel once they’ve arrived,” U.S. News & World Report explains. That’s because the hotel overlooks the famous El Arco (Land’s End) rock formations. “Sea lions frequent the area (especially along the Los Frailes rock formation), and Land’s End remains excellent for couples looking for a romantic spot to see the sunset.”
Each guest room, suite, and villa has a view of the ocean and features balconies and rain showers. The hotel offers three bars — including Point Break in the main pool and The Rooftop, which is the only rooftop lounge in Cabo San Lucas. Two on-site restaurants serve seafood specialties, Mexican cuisine, and American comfort dishes.
10. Grand Velas Los Cabos
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California
“Situated about 35 minutes southwest of Los Cabos International Airport, Grand Velas Los Cabos receives a glowing recommendation from recent guests for its attentive and caring staff, and the tasty dishes served at the resort’s seven restaurants,” according to U.S. News & World Report’s research. “In fact, some reviewers said this is a prime property for foodies.”
The resort also received praise for its large rooms that feature ocean views, welcome bottles of artisanal mezcal, red and white wine, and Jacuzzis. Other amenities include three-tiered infinity pools, a holistic spa, a fitness center, clubs for kids and teens, and nightly entertainment.
Now that you’re thinking about a trip, be sure to read all of our Mexico coverage, including our Cabo San Lucas coverage and Cancun coverage.